PM Lee Expresses Singapore's Support for Indonesia's Chair in ASEAN

Thepresidentpost.id - Singapore's Prime Minister (PM) Lee Hsien Loong expressed his support for Indonesia's chairmanship and priority agenda in ASEAN.

This was conveyed by PM Lee in a joint press statement with Indonesian President Joko Widodo (Jokowi), in Singapore, Thursday (16/03/2023), after the meeting of the two leaders.

"President Jokowi and I also discussed developments in the region. I showed him Singapore's full support for Indonesia's leadership and its priority as chair of ASEAN," PM Lee said.

PM Lee also emphasized that Singapore fully supports the efforts of Indonesia's chairmanship to push for the full implementation of the five-point consensus or five-point agreement of ASEAN leaders in resolving the Myanmar issue.

"Singapore will continue to work closely with Indonesia, and with ASEAN Members, plus ASEAN partners such as the United Nations to push for the full implementation of the five points of agreement," he said.

Apart from that, PM Lee also said that Singapore and Indonesia as well as all ASEAN members would continue to work together to guard Timor-Leste as an ASEAN member.

"We will also work with Indonesia and ASEAN members on a road map for Timor-Leste to become a member of ASEAN and try to help Timor-Leste prepare for obligations and commitments, which will be taken upon joining as a member of ASEAN," he said.

On the same occasion, President Joko Widodo expressed his appreciation for Singapore's support for Indonesia's chairmanship in ASEAN.

"I express my appreciation for Singapore's support for Indonesia's chairmanship in ASEAN," said the President.

Furthermore, President Jokowi emphasized several priorities of Indonesia's chairmanship in ASEAN, one of which is to maintain the unity and centrality of ASEAN.

"The priority for Indonesia's chairmanship in ASEAN is to keep ASEAN important and relevant to its people and to the world, to maintain ASEAN unity and centrality so that it remains the engine of peace and regional stability, and keeps Southeast Asia a center of economic growth," said the President.

As the holder of ASEAN chairmanship, President Jokowi emphasized that Indonesia would push for steps to implement the five-point consensus of ASEAN leaders in resolving the Myanmar issue.

"Regarding Myanmar, as the chair of ASEAN, Indonesia will push forward to implement a five-point consensus and engage in engagement so that all parties can open the way for an inclusive national dialogue, then also the importance of reducing tensions and violence, and ensuring that humanitarian assistance can reach all parties. who need it,” concluded the President.